28-01-2025
Tri-county government aims to make rural roads safer and easier to travel
MCCLELLANVILLE, S.C. (WCBD) -The Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments hosted an open house Monday night to get public input on their Rural Long Range Transportation plan.
The council of governments heard from residents about how they can make transportation in rural areas easier and safer.
The council has held open houses on the rural long-range transportation plan in different rural areas across the low country. Monday night in Mcclellanville officials asked the community to identify problems and develop priorities for their transportation plan funding over the next 20 years.
'We're looking at roadways, we're looking at bike and pedestrian we're looking at transit needs or any elements of roadway safety that communities are really challenged by,' said Sarah Cox, the senior transportation planner of the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments.
One topic that came up often was the dangers of getting onto highway 17.
'Highway 17 to me is one of the most dangerous highways in the country. When I came here tonight it took me 3 minutes to get on the highway,' said Leland McClellan, a Mclellanville resident.
The agency hosted 4 community meetings before the holidays and are hosting another 4 this week into next.
'Some feedback we did get was some of those higher traveled intersections, there's increased traffic volumes and the possibility, if warranted, to put in traffic signals or improving the overall geometry of certain intersections to make it safe,' said Cox.
They're also gathering data through an online survey, asking residents questions like: what are the major transportation issues you face in the rural areas of the tri-county region? And what do you think are the most effective ways of improving transportation in the region.
The council will host an additional meeting on Tuesday in Saint George, another on Wednesday in Berkeley County at the cross-community center and again next week in Hollywood. Members of the council say they hope to wrap up their planning by this summer.
You can take the survey here.
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